Method for organizing files associated with a job ticket used in a network printing system

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for organizing files associated with a job ticket in a computer system linked to a storage device. The job ticket includes information on a document included in a print job, information on a plurality of files that are associated with the document, and location information indicating the location of the files. The user specifies a directory location in the storage device in which to copy the job ticket and related print job files. The files are accessed using the location information and copied, along with the job ticket, to the user specified directory location in the storage device. The invention may further include the step of modifying the location information to indicate that the files copied to the directory location are in a location relative to the location of the job ticket. The user may enter the directory location using a GUI on a computer. With the disclosed system, the computer system can organize files located on different computers linked together over a network into a common directory location within the network.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to the following co-pending and commonly-assigned applications:

application Ser. No. 08/929,609, filed on same date herewith, by Chris Samuel Goertz, Leonard Corning Lahey, Robert Curt Nielsen, Dwight Ross Palmer, and Luana Vigil, entitled "A Method For Creating And Organizing A Job Ticket In A Network Printing System," pending;

application Ser. No. 08/929,997, filed on same date herewith, by Deborah Elisabeth Neuhard, Robert Curt Nielsen, Dwight Ross Palmer, and Luana Vigil, entitled "A Method For Organizing Raster Image Processor Files Associated With a Job Ticket Used in a Network Printing System," pending;

application Ser. No. 08/932,066, filed on same date herewith, by Deborah Elisabeth Neuhard, Robert Curt Nielsen, Dwight Ross Palmer, and Luana Vigil, entitled "Method For Customizing Print Attribute Choices Based On Selected Model, Media, And Printer," pending;

application Ser. No. 08/931,013, filed on same date herewith, by Leonard Corning Lahey, Dwight Ross Palmer, and John Stuart Walker, entitled "A Method for Organizing Files in a Library in a Network Printing System," pending;

application Ser. No. 08/929,844, filed on same date herewith, by Leonard Corning Lahey, entitled "Method for Real Time Customization of a Dialog Box for Accessing a Library Within a Network Printing System," pending;

application Ser. No. 08/929,637, filed on same date herewith, by Kate Goes In Center, Deborah Elisabeth Neuhard, Robert Curt Nielsen, and Dwight Ross Palmer, entitled "A System, Method, and Program for Using Animations to Show Page layout Combinations in a User Interface for Submitting Print Jobs," allowed; and

application Ser. No. 08/929,627, filed on same date herewith, by Leonard Corning Lahey, Deborah Elisabeth Neuhard, and Dwight Ross Palmer, entitled "A System, Method, and Program for Including Within a User Interface having File Menu Options an Ability to Make a New File Like a Pre-Existing File Wherein Any Pre-Existing File Can Be a Template for a New File," pending;

all of which applications are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to organizing a job ticket that includes information describing the component files and print attributes of a print job and, in particular, to a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for organizing the component files and the job ticket in a common directory.

2. Description of the Related Art

Network printing systems generally comprise an assemblage of different printers, client computers, servers, and other components connected over a network. A print job is assembled at a client computer and transmitted over the network to a server linked to a variety of printers. The printers may have different printing capabilities. Thus, for a given submitted print job, some printers in the network may not be able to process the print job. To route print jobs through a network printing system, International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) provides Printing Systems Manager (PSM) products that provide centralized and distributed management of a network printing system. The IBM PSM systems manage the flow of print jobs and insure that a print job is routed to a printer that can handle the job.

A print job is comprised of one or more electronically-stored files and the print attributes therefor. The print attributes inform the printer how to process the files. To assemble print jobs, prior art systems include software installed on the client computer that displays a graphical user interface (GUI). Using a mouse, keyboard, etc., the user selects from a menu of options displayed in the GUI the components and print attributes for a print job. The client computer, under control of the installed software, would then create an electronically-stored job ticket based on the information entered by the user.

Job tickets typically only define the print attributes for a single file. However, a document may be comprised of multiple files, each having one or more print attributes. In the prior art, an user putting together a document comprised of multiple files would have to manually keep track of the location of the different files and manually assemble the files for printing. Moreover, the user would have to insure that the job tickets submitted for each file include the proper print attributes. Print jobs comprised of multiple documents, which are further comprised of multiple files, only increase the complexity of the user's task. Thus, there is a need in the art for network printing systems that eliminate these problems and facilitate the printing of complex documents comprised of multiple files stored throughout the network printing system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To address the requirements described above, the present invention discloses a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for organizing files associated with a job ticket in a computer system linked to a storage device. The job ticket includes information on a document included in a print job, information on a plurality of files that are associated with the document, and location information indicating the location of the files.

The present invention determines a directory location in the storage device. The invention then accesses the files using the location information and copies the files and job ticket to the directory location in the storage device. In further embodiments, the invention modifies the location information to indicate that the files copied to the directory location are in a location relative to the location of the job ticket.

In yet further embodiments, if the directory location does not exist in the storage device, then the directory location is created in the storage device.

In alternative embodiments, the computer system may be comprised of a first computer and a second computer having a first storage device and second storage device, respectively, wherein a file associated with the document is stored in the second storage device. The first computer and second computer may be linked through a network. In such case, the file stored in the second storage device can be accessed and transmitted over the network to the first computer. The transmitted file is then copied into the directory location in the first storage device. In still further embodiments, the computer may have a monitor and input device, and display a field for entering the directory location using the input device.

It is an object of the present invention to develop a function that provides an improved system for organizing the information needed to prepare a print job described in a job ticket when the print job is comprised of several files.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide in a single job ticket information on the location of all files included in the print job.

It is still a further object of the present invention to store in a common directory location the job ticket and all files referenced in the job ticket which are needed to complete the print job defined by the job ticket.

It is yet a further object that when the job ticket and all associated files are copied from the directory location to another directory, that the job ticket indicate that all associated files are located relative to the job ticket. In this way, if the user copies the job ticket and all associated files from the common directory to a new location, then the job ticket references the files in this new location because the location information indicates that the files are stored in a location relative to the job ticket location. This allows the user to store, archive, copy, and otherwise manage all the components of the print job.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary hardware environment for a network printing system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a preferred embodiment of a job ticket data structure in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 3, 4a, 4b, 4c. 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 6c, 7a, 7b, 8, 9, and 10 illustrate a preferred embodiment of a graphical user interface (GUI) displayed on a monitor in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is a flowchart that illustrates the general logic of a message or event-driven operating system and application program performing the steps of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart that illustrates the general logic for a preferred embodiment of a routine performing the steps of the present invention.

FIG. 13a is a block diagram illustrating a job ticket in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 13b is a block diagram illustrating a common directory location including the files and job ticket in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart that illustrates the general logic for a preferred embodiment of a routine or organizing files in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and which is shown, by way of illustration, several embodiments of the present invention. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Hardware Environment

FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a network printing system 2 adapted to incorporate the present invention. The network printing system 2 comprises a plurality of client computers 4a, b, c that are connected to an InfoPrint Multiple Printer Controller (MPC) server 6 via a network 8 (e.g., Token-ring, LAN, Ethernet, WAN, TCP/IP, etc.).

In the preferred embodiment, the client computers 4a, b, c comprise personal computers that execute under the control of an operating system, such as the WINDOWS operating system. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the client computers 4a, b, c could comprise any type of computer such as a workstation, mainframe, etc., and the operating system could comprise any operating system, such as OS/2, OS/390, MVS, VM, AIX, MACINTOSH, UNIX, etc. Installed on each client computer 4a, b, c is InfoPrint Submit software 10. The InfoPrint Submit software 10 configures the client computers 4a, b, c to allow the user to create and submit a job ticket in accordance with the present invention. Attached to each client computer 4a, b, c is an input device 12a, b, c (e.g., keyboard, mouse pointing device, voice activated input device, touch sensitive display, etc.), monitor 14a, b, c (e.g., CRT, LCD displays, etc.), as well as a data communication device 16a, b, c (e.g. modems, network interfaces, etc.) to interface with the network 8.

In the preferred embodiment, the InfoPrint MPC server 6 is an RS/6000 workstation that executes under the control of an AIX operating system. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the InfoPrint MPC server 6 could be comprised of any type of computer such as a personal computer, workstation, server, minicomputer, mainframe, etc., and the operating system could comprise any operating system, such as OS/390, MVS, VM, OS/2, WINDOWS, MACINTOSH, UNIX, etc. Installed in the InfoPrint MPC server 6 is a spooler/scheduler 20, a Print Services Facility (PSF) device specific subsystem (DSS) 22, an AIX DSS 24, and an IC70 DSS 26.

The spooler/scheduler 20 is comprised of the InfoPrint executable code and includes a suite of applications. The spooler/scheduler 20 receives print jobs from the client computers 4a, b, c and generates printer files that are transmitted to a printer 28, 30, 31 or 32 that can appropriately handle the print job. In this way, the user may elect to not specify a printer in the network printing system 2 and let the spooler/scheduler 20 select an appropriate printer 28, 30, 31 or 32.

After processing the print job and selecting a destination printer 28, 30, 31 or 32 for the job, the spooler/scheduler 20 sends the print job to one of the device specific subsystems PSF DSS 22, AIX DSS 24, and IC70 DSS 26. The DSS programs 22, 24, and 26 are device drivers for driving printers 28, 30, 31, 32 attached to the InfoPrint MPC server 6, wherein the PSF DSS 22 drives printers 28 and 30, the AIX DSS 24 drives printer 31, and the IC70 DSS 26 drives printer 32. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the printers attached to the InfoPrint MPC server 6 include an InfoPrint/60 printer 28, an InfoPrint/4000 printer 30, and an InfoColor/70 printer 32.

Also connected to the network printing system 2 is a library server 34 storing an InfoPrint library 36 of files and job tickets. In preferred embodiments, the library server 34 is a RISC System/6000 that executes under the AIX operating system and includes the IBM DB2/6000 database software which provides database management services for the library 36. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the library server 34 could comprise a personal computer, workstation, mainframe etc. and the operating system could comprise OS/2, WINDOWS, UNIX, O/S 390, MVS, VM, etc., and that alternative database programs could be used in lieu of IBM's DB2/6000. In alternative embodiments, the InfoPrint MPC server 6 may be the hardware platform for the library server 34. The InfoPrint library 36 is a complete document storage system that archives printing files, application source data, fonts, images, TIFF data, etc. The client computers 4a, b, c may directly access, store, view and retrieve files and job tickets from the InfoPrint library 36. The hardware and software aitangement of the library server 34 and InfoPrint library 36 is further described in application Ser. No. 08/931,013, filed on same date herewith, by Leonard Corning Lahey, Dwight Ross Palmer, and John Stuart Walker, entitled "A Method for Organizing Files in a Library in a Network Printing System," pending and application Ser. No. 08/929,844, filed on same date herewith, by Leonard Coming Lahey, entitled "Method for Real Time Customization of a Dialog Box for Accessing a Library Within a Network Printing System," pending. Both these applications were incorporated by reference above.

It should be appreciated that, in alternative embodiments, the network printing system 2 may be comprised of components and products other than those discussed above. Moreover, the network printing system 2 can be implemented on different operating systems and hardware. For instance, hardware and software from manufacturers other than IBM may be used to perform the functions of the InfoPrint MPC server 6, the spooler/scheduler 20 and DSS drivers 22, 24, and 26, the library server 34, and the InfoPrint library 36. Printers having printing capabilities different from the disclosed printers 28, 30, and 32 may be used. Further, in alternative embodiments, any number of client computers 4a, b, c having alternative user interfaces may be used. Still further, the client computers 4a, b, c may connect to the InfoPrint MPC server 6 via multiple networks and remote lines. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other alternative hardware and software environments may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. As such, the exemplary environment in FIG. 1 is not intended to limit the present invention.

Job Ticket

The present invention includes the data structure of an electronically-stored job ticket and the computer-implemented method, apparatus, and article of manufacture used to create the job ticket. The job ticket of the present invention maintains information on print attributes and the location of the print files which comprise the print job.

FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the hierarchical tree structure arrangement of data within a job ticket 40 as stored in a data structure in a memory or as stored as a file in a data storage device. The first record in the job ticket 40 is a job ticket attribute record 42, which includes identification information, such as the file name containing the job ticket 40, a job ID, the customer name, etc.

Within each job ticket 40 are also one or more document records, wherein FIG. 2 shows two document records 44 and 46. The document records 44, 46 include all the information the InfoPrint MPC server 6 needs to print a document included in the print job.

Each document record 44, 46 is associated with one or more part records. Document record 44 is associated with two part records 48 and 50. A part is the smallest component submitted to the printer for printing. For instance, if the document is comprised of a black and white text body with a color cover, one part 48 would be the black and white text and another part 50 would be the color cover.

Each part record 48, 50 is a grouping of one or more item records. Part record 48 is a grouping of two item records 52 and 54. An item record includes information on a component of the print job. In preferred embodiments, item records 52, 54 may include information on the following item types: a file item; a hardcopy item; a library file item; variable data; and an inventory item.

A file item is a print image file, such as a TIFF, PostScript, RIP, PDF or PCL file. Included in the item records 52, 54 is information on the location of the item, e.g., the location of the print image file within the network printing system 2 and the location of the source file from which the print image file item was generated. The user may want to know the location of the source file to modify the contents of the print image. The location information included in the item records 52, 54 is used to access the print image files for printing.

A hardcopy item is a list of scanned TIFF files.

A library file item is a file archived in the library 36. The library file item may include information on the location of the library file within the library 36.

Variable data includes files used to create customized print settings to add to the print job, e.g., adding the name and address of the customer to the printed document.

The inventory item includes information on an item to be packaged with the document 44, 46 which is not printed, such as a diskette, CD-ROM, etc.

Thus, an "item" includes print image files comprised of data representing graphical images that are associated with the file item, hardcopy item, library file item or variable data item. The item records 52, 54 also include information on files associated with the print image files for the item. Such associated files may include a source file from which the file item was generated, a Raster Image Processor format of the file item, and a viewable version of the format item. For instance, if the file item is a PostScript file, then the viewable version would be in the PDF file format. Other file types may also be associated with the items.

In the present invention, the job ticket 40 stores print attribute information, such as information on the layout of the printed page, the printer selected, the alignment of the page, and the look of the page, for each element included in the job ticket 40. As used herein, the term "element" means any of the document records 44, 46, part records 48, 50, and item records 52, 54 included in the job ticket 40. Any print attribute information set for an element at a higher hierarchical level in the tree applies to the elements at the lower hierarchical levels which branch from that higher element. For instance, print attribute information set at the document record 44 level automatically applies to the part records 48, 50 and the item records 52, 54 which branch from the document record 44. Print attribute information set at the part record 52 level likewise applies to the items 52, 54 branching therefrom. In this way, the lower level elements inherit the print attributes of the higher level elements from which they branch.

The print submission attribute record 56 includes information on the print job, such as scheduling options, priority, difficulty, ctc. The information in the print submission attribute record 56 does not affect what is printed, but instead concerns the work flow of the print job.

In preferred embodiments, print attribute information is stored as key/value pairs. The key is the mode or name of the attribute and the value is the value for the operation. For instance, to indicate a selection of a media type for a print job, the print attribute information would be stored as Input Bin/Tray 1. The key is the input bin containing the selected media, and the user selected value is the first tray. This key/value method for representing print attribute information is readily extendible. To add additional values for specific print attribute types, the new value would bc described with reference to its key. Thus, when the InfoPrint Submit software 10 and print driver programs 22, 24, 26 are processing the print attribute information, they immediately recognize the operation the value represents.

InfoPrint Submit Software

The job ticket 40 may be created on the client computer 4a, b, c using the InfoPrint Submit software 10 installed thereon. The InfoPrint Submit software 10 includes a graphical user interface (GUI) displayed on the monitor 14a, b, c that the user may use to create the job ticket 40. The InfoPrint Submit software 10 then translates the job ticket 40 created thereby to a format compatible with the InfoPrint MPC server 6.

The client computer 4a, b, c transmits this translated job ticket 40 along with the items identified in the item records 52, 54 to the InfoPrint MPC server 6 over the network 8. The InfoPrint MPC server 6 uses the information in the translated job ticket 40 to process the transmitted items 52, 54 and generate printer files based thereon. The InfoPrint MPC server 6 then selects an appropriate printer 28, 30, 31 or 32, to print the print job and transmits the printer files to the selected printer 28, 30, 31 or 32 for printing.

When printing copies of the items or a part including a group of items, the InfoPrint MPC server 6 prints a cover sheet on top of each set of copies including the information in the job ticket attribute record 42 to identify the set of copies. The user can then gather the copies generated at different printers throughout the network printing system 2 and assemble the final document using the information on the cover sheet for guidance.

In this way, the present job ticket invention maintains information on all the documents included in a customer order and all information needed by the InfoPrint MPC server 6 to print the different documents within a customer order.

Graphical User Interface

FIGS. 3, 4a, 4b, 4c, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 6c, 7a, 7b, 8, 9, and 10 are illustrations of the graphical user interface (GUI) 60 provided by the InfoPrint Submit software 10. The user creates the job ticket 40 by entering information into different fields and selecting specific options presented in the GUI 60. Standard user interface mechanisms are preferably implemented in the GUI 60 to provide the user with the necessary functionality and ease of use.

FIG. 3 shows the GUI 60 presented to the user upon selecting the job ticket option via an icon or command. At the upper portion of the GUI 60 is a main menu item bar 62 that includes main menu items Ticket, Edit, Item, Options, and I Help. Selecting one of the main menu items with a mouse or keyboard command, invokes a further submenu of functions available to the user. Table 1 shows the submenus for each main menu item and functions included therein. Table 2 shows all the functions associated with each main menu item and provides a description of the behavior of each of the functions. Below the main menu item bar 62 is a tool bar 64 comprised of icons that represent certain functions. Below the tool bar 64 is an area presenting six fields labeled Name, Description, Customer, Job ID, Copies, and Library. These six fields comprise the information in the job ticket attribute record 42. The user places the cursor in one of the fields with the mouse and then enters the identification information.

The GUI 60 further includes a tree section 66 for displaying the elements (document records 44, 46 and item records 52, 54) associated with the job ticket 40. FIG. 3 shows only a single document element, Document 1. Associated with each element in the tree section 66 are print attribute page tabs 68a, b,c, d, e, which in the preferred embodiment are radio buttons displayed on the GUI 60. The user can cause the display of a Layout, Print, Align, Look, and Advanced print attribute page 70a, b, c, d, or e by selecting one of the corresponding print attribute page tabs 68a, b, c, d, e. FIG. 3 illustrates the Advanced print attribute page 70e, which includes fields in which the user may specify a transform option to override any conflicting attributes and to build a new document object.

FIGS. 4a, 4b, 4c, 5a, 5b, 6a, 7b, 7c, 8a, and 8b show the print attribute pages 70a, b, c, d associated with Document 1 in the tree section 66. Table 3 provides the print attribute pages 70a, b, c, d, e available for each type of element. FIGS. 4a, 4b, and 4c illustrate a preferred embodiment of the Layout attribute page 70a, in which the user may specify the layout of the printed pages. FIGS. 4a, b show drop down menus 72a, b, respectively, of layout options, e.g., whether the pages are printed side by side, booklet style, etc. FIG. 4c shows a drop down menu 74 of side options, e.g., to print on two sides, one side, etc. Table 4 provides a description of the values in the Layout attribute page 70a and the behavior of the Layout attributes.

FIGS. 5a, b illustrate a preferred embodiment of the Print attribute page 70b. FIG. 5a shows a drop down menu for a Printer type 76 field in which the user can specify any printer or a specific printer 28, 30, 31 or 32 to print the Document 1. If the user selects a specific printer 28, 30, 31 or 32, then the InfoPrint Submit software 10 modifies the range of print attribute values available in pages 70a, b, c, d, e to include only those print attribute values supported by the selected printer 28, 30, 31 or 32. FIG. 5b shows a drop down menu for a Paper type 78 field in which the user may select a paper type. Table 5 provides a description of the attributes in a preferred embodiment of the Print attribute page 70b and the behavior of the attributes.

FIGS. 6a, 6b, and 6c illustrate the Align attribute page 70c, which allows the user to specify the orientation and placement of the of the page. Table 6 provides a description of the attributes in a preferred embodiment of the Align attribute page 70c and the behavior of the Align attributes.

FIGS. 7a and 7b illustrate the Look attribute page 70d and accompanying drop down menus. The Look attribute page 70d includes fields in which the user can set the look of the printed output, e.g., standard, dark, etc., and identify the printer that will receive rasterized data. Table 7 provides a description of the attributes in a preferred embodiment of the Look attribute page 70d and the behavior of the Look attributes.

FIG. 8 shows a submenu 80 displayed when the user selects the Ticket item from the main menu item bar 62. The functions included in the submenus of the main menu items may be represented as an icon or alphanumeric string displayed in the GUI 60. The submenu 80 represents the functions as alphanumeric strings describing the function. The Ticket submenu 80 includes functions which allow the user to open a previously created job ticket (Open), create a new job ticket (New), save a job ticket the user has modified (Save or Save as), print the opened job ticket 40 (Print Ticket) or submit the job ticket to the InfoPrint MPC server 6 for printing (Submit Job). The Ticket submenu 80 further includes the Submit function which allows the user to enter the information for the print submission attribute record 56. The Submit function allows the user to select a File and Schedule pages into which the user may enter scheduling priority setting information for the job ticket 40. Tables 8 and 9 provide a description of a preferred embodiment of the fields and behavior of such fields in the File and Schedule pages.

Once the user creates a job ticket, the user may save the job ticket 40 or submit the job ticket 40 to the printing services manager 6 using the Save and Submit Job functions displayed in the Ticket submenu 80.

FIG. 9 shows an Open dialog box 82 that appears when the user selects the Open function from the Ticket submenu 80 (FIG. 8). The user may select and open one of the previously saved tickets displayed in the Open dialog box 82.

FIG. 10 shows the tree section 66 with two hardcopy items (Hardcopy 1 and Hardcopy 2) and two file items in PostScript format (alignbox.ps and 6×9.ps). The user may add, modify or delete elements from the tree section 66 using functions included in the Item and Edit main menu items. The Item submenu, shown in Table 1, includes functions which allow the user to add items, including files, hardcopies, library files, and variable data, and add documents. The user adds the hardcopy items using the Insert Hardcopy function and the PostScript file items using the Insert File function within the submenu of the Insert main menu item. The Edit submenu includes functions, shown in Table 1, which allow the user to modify the arrangement of the elements within the tree section 66, i.e., Move Up, Move Down, Remove, Delete.

FIG. 10 also shows a File attribute page 84 that appears when the user selects a particular file item with the mouse pointer. In FIG. 10, the user has selected the alignbox.ps file item. The file attribute page 84 allows the user to add information to the job ticket 40 on the location of the file item alignbox.ps and a source file from which the file item was generated. A file to print area 86 includes a File field 88 in which the user enters the location of the file item selected in the tree section 66, which in FIG. 8 is the directory path for the file "alignbox.ps." The user may enter the file location with a keyboard attached to the client computer 4a, b, c or the Browse radio button in the File to Print 84 area. The Browse radio button invokes a file manager GUI, such as is provided with the Microsoft Windows File Manager or Explorer programs. A file format field 90 indicates the format of the file item. This file format may be sniffed from the file name in the File field 88 or entered by the user. A source file field 92 provides the location of the original file from which the file item was generated. The user may enter the directory path for the source file in the source file field 84 using the keyboard or the Browse radio button.

Using the preferred embodiment of the present invention discussed above, the user may create a job ticket including documents and items, and set print attributes for the documents and items by selecting options in the print attribute pages 70a, b, c, d, e. As discussed, any setting at the document level within the tree section 66 applies to lower level items that branch from the document. There are primarily three ways to change the print attribute values available in the print attribute pages 70a, b, c, d, e. First, as discussed above, when a user selects a printer 28, 30, 31 or 32, the print attribute values reset to the values supported by the selected printer 28, 30, 31 or 32. Second, the InfoPrint Submit software 10 may occasionally query the InfoPrint MPC server 6 to obtain information on all the installed printers and printing options available. The InfoPrint Submit software would then modify the range of attribute values the user may select based on the information received from the InfoPrint MPC server 6 during the query. This process of querying the InfoPrint MPC server 6 to update printing options available on the client computer 4a, b, c is described in detail in the co-pending and commonly-assigned application Ser. No. 08/932,066, filed on same date herewith, by Deborah Elisabeth Neuhard, Robert Curt Nielsen, Dwight Ross Palmer, and Luana Vigil, entitled "Method For Customizing Print Attribute Choices Based On Selected Model, Media, And Printer," pending, which application was incorporated by reference above. Still further, the InfoPrint Submit software includes the feature of allowing attribute fields to be added, deleted or modified in the print attribute pages 140. Third, the user may modify, delete, and add print attribute fields to the print attribute pages 70a, b, c, d, e.

In the preferred embodiment of the GUI 60 as set forth in Tables 1-9, the GUI 60 does not include a function to create the part record 48, 50 discussed above. Users can only create document records 44, 50 and item records 52, 54. However, in alternative embodiments, the job ticket 40 could include part elements. In such case, one of the submenus for the main menu items would include a function for adding parts records to the job ticket 40, such as the parts 48, 50 discussed above with respect to the job ticket 40 embodiment of FIG. 2. Alternatively, a submenu may include a function for grouping items into a named part. Associated with each part record 48, 50 would be print attribute pages 70a, b, c, d, e which would include fields for the user to enter print attribute information for the part records 48, 50. As discussed, any print attribute information entered for the part records would apply to any item records grouped in the part record.

Operational Flowcharts

FIG. 11 is a flowchart that illustrates the general logic of the InfoPrint Submit software 10 according to the present invention. The InfoPrint Submit software 10 is event or message drive software, wherein operations are performed when transitions are made, based upon the receipt of messages or events, from present or current states to new states.

The general logic 100 begins by waiting at block 102 for an event (e.g., a mouse button click). It should be appreciated that during this time, other operating system tasks, e.g., file, memory, and video tasks, etc., may also be carried out. When an event occurs, control passes to block 104 to identify the event. Based upon the event, as well as the current state of the client computer 4a, b, c determined in block 106, a new state is determined in block 108. In block 110, the routine 60 transitions to the new state and performs any actions required for the transition. In block 112, the current state is set to the previously determined new state, and control returns to block 102 to wait for more input events.

The specific operations that are performed by block 100 when transitioning between states will vary depending upon the current state and the event. The various operations required to implement and maintain the present invention represent particular events handled by routine 100. However, it should be appreciated that these operations represent merely a subset of all of the events handled by any applications program or operating system.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart that illustrates more specific logic performed by the InfoPrint Submit software 10 when the GUIJ 60 is displayed as indicated at 114. The logic begins by waiting at block 116 for an event (e.g., a mouse button click signifying selection of a menu item). When an event occurs, control passes to blocks 118-139 to identify the events and perform associated functions.

Block 118 is a decision block that represents the client computer 4a, b, c determining whether a main menu item displayed on a main menu item bar 62 (FIG. 3) was selected and SingleClicked. If so, control transfers to Block 129; otherwise control transfers to block 122. Block 120 represents the client computer 4a, b, c displaying in the GUI 60 a submenu for the selected main menu item. From block 120, control transfers to block 124, which is a decision block that represents the client computer 4a, b, c determining whether a displayed function within the submenu was selected. If so, control transfers to block 126; otherwise control transfers to block 128. Block 126 represents the client computer 4a, b, c performing the selected submenu function. After performing the selected submenu function, control transfers to block 130, which represents the client computer 4a, b, c removing the display of the submenu. Block 128 is a decision block that represents the client computer 4a, b, c determining whether the user SingleClicked on an area of the GUI 60 outside of the displayed submenu. If so, control transfers to block 130, which represents the client computer 4a, b, c removing the display of the submenu; otherwise control transfers back to block 116.

Block 122 is a decision block that represents the client computer 4a, b, c determining whether an element (document, part or item) displayed in a tree section 66 of the GUI 60 (FIG. 3) is selected with a SingleClick. If so, control transfers to block 132; otherwise control transfers to block 139. Block 132 represents the client computer 4a, b, c highlighting the selected element to indicate its selection. From block 132, control transfers to block 134, which represents the client computer 4a, b, c displaying print attribute page tabs 68a, b, c, d, e (FIG. 3) associated with the element highlighted at block 132. From block 134, control transfers to block 136, which is a decision block that represents the client computer 4a, b, c determining whether a print attribute page tab 68a, b, c, d, e was selected. If so, control transfers to block 138; otherwise control transfers back to block 116. Block 138 represents the client 4a, b, c displaying a print attribute page for the selected print attribute page tab 68a, b,c, d, e, which in the case of FIG. 3 is the Advanced print attribute page 70e. Block 139 represents the client computer 4a, b, c performing other processing.

The various functions associated with a SingleClick event are determined by the current state of the InfoPrint Submit software 10. In many instances, the current state is represented visually on the monitor connected to the client computer 4a, b, c.

It should be appreciated that there are a large number of states, events and operations that are associated with the InfoPrint Submit software 10. Generally, these various operations performed by the InfoPrint Submit software 10 can be classified within certain categories:

while in any mode, selecting a main menu item from the main menu item bar 62 to display a submenu of functions;

after selecting an element (document, part or item) within the tree section 66 of the GUI 60, selecting the Item or Edit main menu items to modify or edit the tree structure arrangement of elements;

after selecting an element within the tree section of the GUI 60, selecting a print attribute page tab 68a, b,c, d, e for the selected element; or after selecting a print attribute page tab 70a, b, c, d, e, entering print attribute information on the displayed print attribute page 70a, b, c, d, e.

In preferred embodiments, the various operations described above are specifically related to the InfoPrint Submit software 10. Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize that the use of the present invention with computer programs may result in different operations (or potentially the same operations).

Also in the preferred embodiment, the identifier SingleClick is intended to indicate a default single click action, which uses the left mouse button. Other mouse buttons are indicated through the use of appended identifiers, such as (RightMouseButton), etc.

Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize that the use of any mouse button, keyboard sequence, voice command, or other user input is merely a design choice, and the functions performed by the present invention could be invoked by any number of different combinations of mouse buttons, keyboard sequences, voice command, or any other user input.

The Package Function

The present invention further includes a package function that allows the user to package and store the job ticket and all files associated with the job ticket in a common location. In preferred embodiments, the package function is implemented in the InfoPrint Submit software 10. FIG. 13a is a block diagram showing the file location information associated with a job ticket file 140 named "ajob.jtk." File ajob.jtk 140 has one document record 142 and two item records 144, 146. Item record 144 includes information on the postscript file "a.ps" and its location in the client computer 4a, b or c at local C:\drive--c:\foo\a.ps. A version of this file a.ps was created in a raster image processor (RIP) format form. This RIP version of a.ps is saved in the InfoPrint MPC server 6 at o:\pdata\a.rip. Thus, item record 142 is associated with a postscript file having an associated RIP file. Item record 144 is associated with PostScript file "b.ps" which is located in the InfoPrint library 36 at L:\library\print\b.ps.

The package function stores the job ticket and all associated files within a common directory, referred to herein as the "package directory." For instance, if the user selects the package directory to be "d:pack1\ajob," then the package function would copy ajob.jtk 140 and all associated files, a.ps, a176.rip, and b.ps, into this directory, as shown in FIG. 13b. Further, the package function would change the file location information in item records 144, 146 to point to the location of the file ajob.jtk 140. In this way, the item records 144, 146 indicate that the associated files are located relative to the location of the job ticket file, ajob.jtk 140.

In the preferred embodiment, the user could invoke the package invention using the GUI 60 discussed above to package the file presently opened in the GUI 60, such as file ajob.jtk. FIG. 8 shows the Package function within the Ticket submenu 80. Upon selection of the Package function, the GUI 60 displays a dialog box which prompts the user to enter a package directory into which all files associated with the job ticket presently opened in the GUI 60 will be saved. When the user enters this package directory in the dialog box, the InfoPrint Submit software 10 causes the client computer 4a, b, c to copy the job ticket opened in the GUI 60 and all files associated therewith, including files that reside in the InfoPrint library 36, client computer 4a, b, c or InfoPrint MPC server 6. If the user enters a new directory location not existing anywhere in the network printing system 2, then the client computer 4a, b, c would create the package directory location before copying the job ticket and files thereto. If the directory location the user enters already exists, then the client computer 4a, b, c will copy the job ticket and all files to this pre-existing package directory.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart that illustrates specific logic performed by the InfoPrint Submit software 10 when carrying out a preferred embodiment of the package function invention. The logic begins at block 150, which represents the user selecting the Package function from the Ticket submenu 80. From there control proceeds to block 152 which represents the client computer 4a, b, c displaying a dialog box in the GUI 60 which includes a field for the user to enter the package directory. In FIGS. 13a, b, the package directory is d:\pack1\ajob, the copied job ticket is file ajob.jtk, and the copied files include all files associated with item records 144, 146. Control then proceeds to block 154 which is a decision block representing the client computer 4a, b, c determining whether the entered package directory exists. If so, then control proceeds to block 155; otherwise block 156. Block 156 represents the client computer 4a, b, c creating a new directory for the package directory (d:\pack1\ajob). From block 156, control proceeds to block 155. Block 155 represents the client computer 4a, b, c accessing the first file (a.ps) associated with the first item record (144) in the first document record (142).

From block 155, control proceeds to block 158, which is a decision block representing the client computer 4a, b, c determining whether a file in the package directory has the same name as the accessed file. If so, then control proceeds to block 160; otherwise bloc 162. Block 160 represents the client computer 4a, b, c renaming the accessed file by adding an alpha-numeric character to the end of the name and then copying the renamed file to the package directory. Block 162 represents the client computer 4a, b, c, copying the accessed file to the package directory (d:\pack1\ajob). After either block 160 or 162, control proceeds to decision block 164 which represents the client computer 4a, b, c determining whether there are any files associated with the item records 144, 146 which have not been accessed. If so, then control proceeds to block 166, otherwise control proceeds to block 168. Block 166 represents the client computer 4a, b, c accessing the next file in the job ticket (ajob.jtk 140). From block 166 control proceeds back to block 158. Block 168 represents the client computer 4a, b, c copying the job ticket (ajob.jtk 140) to the package directory (d:\pack1\ajob) after all files have been copied. Control then proceeds to block 170 which represents the client computer 4a, b, c modifying the job ticket file 140 to indicate that the files associated with item records (144, 146) are located in the directory in which the copied job ticket (140) is located.

With the present package invention, all files needed for the print job described in the job ticket are now packaged in a common directory location. This invention is particularly useful if the user wants to copy the print job to a new location. All the user must do is copy all the files in the package directory (d:\pack1\ajob) to the new location. Moreover, the location information for all files associated with the item records 144, 146 indicates that the files are in a location relative to the job ticket. In this way, the packaged job ticket and associated files can be copied to different locations as needed and the job ticket automatically knows the location of the files included in the print job because such location is relative to the location of the job ticket.

Conclusion

This concludes the description of the preferred embodiments of the invention. The following describes some alternative embodiments for accomplishing the present invention.

For example, the client computer 4a, b, c and InfoPrint MPC server 6 may be any type of computer, such as a mainframe, minicomputer, work station, personal computer or combinations thereof operating under any suitable operating system. In addition, the client computer 4a, b, c may include any software program, application or operating system having a graphical user interface and performing the operations of the present invention. Still further, some or all of the functions described above as being performed by the client computer 4a, b, c could, in alternative embodiments, be performed by the InfoPrint MPC server 6, and vice versa.

Those skilled in the art will also recognize that the GUI and data structure may be modified to accommodate different types of print attributes other than those described above. Still further, the GUI may have a different appearance, layout and design then the GUI described above.

Still further, those skilled in the art will recognize that in the flowcharts set forth in FIGS. 11, 12, and 14, programming steps may be added, modified, deleted or performed in an order different than the order set forth in the preferred embodiments.

In summary, the present invention discloses a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for organizing files associated with a job ticket in a computer system linked to a storage device. The job ticket includes information on a document included in a print job, information on a plurality of files that are associated with the document, and location information indicating the location of the files. The present invention determines a directory location in the storage device. The invention then accesses the files using the location information and copies the files and job ticket to the directory location in the storage device. The invention may further include the step of modifying the location information to indicate that the files copied to the directory location are in a location relative to the location of the job ticket.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto. The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.

                                      TABLE 1                                      __________________________________________________________________________     SUBMENUS OF MAIN MENU ITEMS                                                    Ticket    Edit  Item       Options  Help                                       __________________________________________________________________________     New . . . Undo  Insert File . . .                                                                         Print Job Status . . .                                                                  Contents                                   New Like . . .                                                                           Cut   Insert Hardcopy                                                                           Refresh Lists                                                                           About . . .                                Open . . .                                                                               Copy  Insert Library file . . .                                                                 Setup . . .                                         Save      Paste Insert Variable Data . . .                                                                Preferences . . .                                   Save As . . .                                                                            Move Up                                                                              View       Papers . . .                                        Package . . .                                                                            Move Down                                                                            Preflight                                                      Archive . . .                                                                            Rename                                                                               Add Document                                                   Retrieve . . .                                                                           Remove                                                               Submit Job . . .                                                                         Delete                                                               Print Ticket . . .                                                             Printer Setup . . .                                                            previous job tickets                                                           Exit                                                                           __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 2                                      __________________________________________________________________________     DESCRIPTION AND BEHAVIOR OF MAIN MENU ITEM FUNCTIONS                           Menu                                                                               Item     Available  Behavior                                               __________________________________________________________________________     Ticket                                                                             New      Always     Clears all fields in the window including the                                  general                                                                        attributes and the tree view. Changes Name field                               to                                                                             Untitled and marks (selects) it.                           New Like . . .                                                                          Always     Opens the standard Open dialog. Set Files of type                              field                                                                          to Job Ticket Files. When a job ticket is                                      selected, it is                                                                opened with the Name field set to Untitled (and                                marked)                                                                        and the Job ID field cleared.                              Open . . .                                                                              Always     Opens the standard Open dialog. Set Files of type                              field                                                                          to Job Ticket Files. If file name does not match                               the job                                                                        name, change the value of the job name.                    Save     Always     Saves the current job ticket. If the job has not                               been                                                                           saved before, open the standard Save As                                        directory.                                                                     Show the directory specified in Preferences as                                 the                                                                            default directory. Set the file name to the job                                name. If                                                                       it is saved as a different name, change the job                                name in                                                                        the ticket to match the new name. If the name is                               a                                                                              duplicate name, open the standard Do You want to                               Replace? Dialog.                                           Save as . . .                                                                           Always     Opens the standard Save As dialog. The Save as                                 type                                                                           field defaults to job ticket type. If this ticket                              has not                                                                        been saved before, default the directory to the                                directory                                                                      specified in Preferences. The directory for                                    changes                                                                        based on the Save as type and the directories                                  specified                                                                      in Preferences. Set the file name to the job                                   name. If it is                                                                 saved as a different name, change the job name in                              the                                                                            ticket to match the new name. If the name is a                                 duplicate                                                                      name, open the standard Do You want to Replace?                                Dialog.                                                    Package . . .                                                                           Always     Open Select Directory dialog (Alex's). The job                                 ticket,                                                                        and all the files associated with this job ticket                              are saved                                                                      in the directory. If any files reside in the                                   Library, they                                                                  are copied to this directory. If any files have                                .pdf or .rip                                                                   associated with them, they are copied to this                                  directory.                                                 Archive . . .                                                                           Job is saved and                                                                          Packages the job ticket and its files and                                      archives the job.                                                   Library is installed                                                                      If the job is displayed in the status window,                                  update the                                                                     status.                                                    Retrieve . . .                                                                          Job is saved and                                                                          Opens the Logon dialog if this is the first                                    invocation of                                                       Library is installed                                                                      Library. Then opens the Retrieve Ticket dialog.                                When                                                                           the ticket is selected from the Library, a new                                 job ticket                                                                     is created. The Name is set to Untitled (and                                   marked),                                                                       the Job ID is cleared, and the tree is filled                                  with                                                                           references to the Library shared directory.                Submit Job . . .                                                                        Always     Opens the Submit dialog. If there are no items in                              the                                                                            tree, put up a message.                                    Print Ticket . . .                                                                      Always     Opens the standard Print dialog. Prints the                                    formatted                                                                      job ticket.                                                Printer Setup . . .                                                                     Always     Opens the standard Print Setup dialog.                     previous job                                                                            Always     Lists the previous X job ticket file names where                               X is                                                       tickets             specified in the Preferences Dialog.                       Exit     Always     Closes the job ticket window. If the current job                               ticket                                                                         file has changed from the last time it was saved,                              prompt                                                                         the user to save the file.                             Edit                                                                               Undo     After a cut or a paste                                                                    Undoes cut or paste.                                       Cut      Always     Cuts the selected item, part or document to the                                clipboard.                                                 Copy     Always     Copies the selected item, part or document to                                  the                                                                            clipboard.                                                 Paste    After a Cut or Copy                                                                       Pastes the item to the current position in the                                 tree.                                                      Move up  Item, Part or Document                                                                    Moves the selected item before the previous item                               that's                                                              is selected and item is                                                                   at the same level.                                                  not the first item                                                    Move down                                                                               Item, Part or Document                                                                    Moves the selected item after the next item                                    that's at the                                                       is selected and item is                                                                   same level.                                                         not the last item                                                     Rename   Always     Puts the standard edit box around the selected                                 item in                                                                        the tree. If the item is a file, the file to                                   print is not                                                                   renamed, just the item in the tree. If the file                                is a Library                                                                   Reference, the file to print is not renamed, just                              the item                                                                       in the tree.                                               Remove   Always     Removes the selected item from the tree. If the                                only                                                                           document is selected, removes all the items for                                that                                                                           document, but leaves the document in the tree.             Delete   Only disabled when a                                                                      Opens a prompt confirming deletion of the item.                     Library Reference is                                                                      Document - Prompt for all items in document. All                    selected.  items and document will be deleted. If this is                                 the                                                                            only document in the tree, the items will be                                   deleted,                                                                       but the Document level will still be in the                                    tree/ticket. Delete associated files (RIP files                                and                                                                            PDF files)                                                                     File - Prompt for the file. The file will be                                   deleted                                                                        and removed from the tree/ticket. Delete                                       associated                                                                     files (RIP files and PDF files)                                                Library Reference - Can't do it.                                               Variable Data - Prompt for all files relating to                               this                                                                           item. The files will be deleted and the item will                              be                                                                             deleted from the ticket/tree. Delete associated                                files                                                                          (RIP files and PDF files)                                                      Hardcopy - Prompt for all 10 files relating to                                 this                                                                           item. The files will be deleted and the item will                              be                                                                             deleted from the ticket/tree. Delete associated                                saved RIP files.                                       Item                                                                               Insert file . . .                                                                       Always     Opens the standard Open dialog listing the                                     allowed                                                                        filetypes (see sniffed file types). Replace Open                               button                                                                         with Insert button. After file is selected, the                                new file                                                                       item is added to the Tree View following the                                   currently                                                                      selected item. The item displays the fully                                     qualified file                                                                 name and the File attribute pages are shown.               Insert hardcopy                                                                         Always     The item Hardcopy X is added to the Tree View                                  following the current item and the hardcopy                                    attribute                                                                      pages are shown. X starts at 1 and increments for                              every                                                                          hardcopy item in the job.                                  Insert library                                                                          Library is installed                                                                      Opens the Library Logon dialog (only the first                                 time). If                                                  file . . .          the file is saved, the fully qualified file name                               is added                                                                       the Tree view following the current item. If the                               file is                                                                        referenced, the Tree view is updated with the                                  filename.                                                                      The file attribute pages are shown.                        Insert variable                                                                         Disable after one                                                                         The item Variable Data X is added to the Tree                                  view                                                       data     variable data item is                                                                     following the current item and the variable data                               attribute                                                           added to the tree (there                                                                  pages are shown. X starts at 1 and increments for                              every                                                               can only be 1 variable                                                                    variable data item in the job.                                      data item in a ticket).                                               Preflight                                                                               When selected file is a                                                                   Opens Preflight Dialog.                                             PostScript file                                                       View     Always     Opens the viewer for the selected item as                                      specified in                                                                   the Preferences dialog. If this is a PostScript                                file, and a                                                                    PDF does not already exist, open the Preflight                                 dialog.                                                    Add document                                                                            Always     Adds a Document X following the current document.                              If                                                                             no items are selected, the item is added to the                                bottom of                                                                      the list. X starts at 1 and increments for every                               document                                                                       in the job.                                            Options                                                                            Print job status . . .                                                                  Always     Opens the Print Job Status dialog.                         Refresh lists                                                                           Always     Queries for Logical printers and for Papers.                                   Refreshes                                                                      those drop down lists.                                     Setup . . .                                                                             Always     Opens the Setup dialog.                                    Preferences . . .                                                                       Always     Opens the Preferences dialog.                              Papers . . .                                                                            Always     Opens the Papers dialog.                               Help                                                                               Contents Always     Opens WinHelp to the Contents page. For Mac, it                                opens                                                                          Netscape with the contents of the page loaded.             About . . .                                                                             Always     Opens the About box.                                   __________________________________________________________________________

                  TABLE 3                                                          ______________________________________                                         Selected Tree Item Attribute Pages Shown                                       ______________________________________                                         Document           Layout                                                                         Print                                                                          Align                                                                          Look                                                                           Advanced                                                    File               File*                                                                          Print                                                                          Align                                                                          Look                                                                           Advanced                                                    Library Reference  File*                                                                          Print                                                                          Align                                                                          Look                                                                           Advanced                                                    Hardcopy           Scan Files*                                                                    Hardcopy*                                                                      Print                                                                          Align                                                                          Look                                                                           Advanced                                                    Variable Data      Variable Data*                                                                 Referenced Files*                                                              Print                                                                          Align                                                                          Look                                                                           Advanced                                                    ______________________________________                                    

                                      TABLE 4                                      __________________________________________________________________________     DESCRIPTION OF ATTRIBUTES IN THE                                               LAYOUT ATTRIBUTES PAGE AND BEHAVIOR OF ATTRIBUTES                              __________________________________________________________________________     DESCRIPTION OF THE LAYOUT ATTRIBUTES                                           pd attribute                                                                           Label Control Values        Operations Default                         __________________________________________________________________________     sides, plex                                                                            Sides drop down list                                                                         Simplex, Duplex, Tumble, Use                                                                 Duplex                                                           server default                                           output-format                                                                          Layout                                                                               drop down list                                                                         Side by side copies, Slit and                                                                Side by side copies                                              merge, Booklet, No                                                             adjustment, Use server default                           number-up                                                                              Number up                                                                            drop down list                                                                         1, 2, 3, 4, Use server default                                                               2                                          form-definition                                                                        Use form                                                                             check box with                                                                         8 alphabetic characters                                                                      unchecked                                          definition                                                                           entry field                                                                    following label                                                          Calculate                                                                            check box             checked at document                                number of                   level.                                             pages                                                                  job-page-count                                                                         Number of                                                                            entry field with                                                                       0-999999      For an item, blank                                 pages spin box              For a Document,                                                                totaled from items                                                             when box is checked.                       __________________________________________________________________________     BEHAVIOR OF THE LAYOUT ATTRIBUTES                                              Label    Available     Behavior                                                __________________________________________________________________________     Sides    Disable when Booklet (set to                                                                 simplex: set sides = 1 plex = simplex                            duplex) and disable when Form                                                                duplex: set sides = 2 plex = simplex                             Def specified tumble: set sides = 2 plex = tumble                                            Use server default: do not send sides or plex                                  Updates bitmap                                          Layout   Always        Updates bitmap                                                                 Disable Number up when Slit and merge or No                                    Adjustments.                                                                   Set Sides to Duplex and disable Sides when                                     Booklet.                                                Number up                                                                               Disable when Layout is Slit                                                                  Updates bitmap                                                   and merge or No Adjustment                                                     or Use server default                                                          Disable when Use Form                                                          Definition is checked                                                 Use form definition                                                                     Disabled on item level.                                                                      When a file is not specified, the file defaults to                             what                                                             At Document level, disabled for                                                              is specified in the IVD. This file resides on the                IC 70.        server. Disables the following:                                                Sides, at an item level                                                        Layout choices Side by side copies and Booklet                                 Number up                                                                      Paper, at an item level                                                        Rotation                                                                       Align page                                              Calculate number of                                                                     Disabled at item level                                                                       If this box is checked, at the document level                                  total the                                               pages                  number of pages for each item.                          Number of pages                                                                         Disabled at item level                                                                       job-page-count is only set at the document              __________________________________________________________________________                            level.                                             

                                      TABLE 5                                      __________________________________________________________________________     DESCRIPTION OF ATTRIBUTES IN                                                   PRINT ATTRIBUTES PAGE AND BEHAVIOR OF ATTRIBUTES                               __________________________________________________________________________     DESCRIPTION OF PRINT ATTRIBUTES                                                pd attribute                                                                            Label  Control                                                                               Values        Default                                   __________________________________________________________________________     printer-models-                                                                         Printer type                                                                          drop down list                                                                        InfoPrint 4000                                                                               InfoPrint 4000                            requested              InfoPrint 60                                                                   Any black and white                                                            InfoColor 70                                            default-printer-                     600                                       resolution                                                                     default-medium                                                                          Paper  drop down list                                                                        list from query of supported                                                                 first in list                             default-input-tray     media, list of checked trays in                                                Preferences, Use server default                         start-on-new-sheet                                                                      Start on a front                                                                      check box            unchecked                                          facing page                                                           transform-output-                                                                       Save RIPed                                                                            checkbox             unchecked                                 file-name                                                                               file                                                                  __________________________________________________________________________     BEHAVIOR OF PRINT ATTRIBUTES                                                   Label                                                                              Available                                                                               Behavior                                                          __________________________________________________________________________     Printer                                                                            Read-only at item                                                                       IP 4000 - sets Calibrate for field on Look page. Disables                      the following:                                                    type                                                                               level    Tray paper choices.                                                            No adjustment Layout choice.                                                   Paper, at an item level                                                        IP 60 - Sets Calibrate for field on Look page. Disables the                    following:                                                                     Slit and merge Layout choice.                                                  Insert Variable Data menu item.                                                Any B&W - Defaults Calibrate for field on Look page to                         Server default.                                                                Disables the following:                                                        Tray paper choices.                                                            Slit and Merge and No adjustment choices for Layout                            choices.                                                                       Insert Variable Data menu item.                                                Paper, at an item level                                                        IC 70 - Disables the following:                                                Tray paper choices                                                             Paper, at an item level                                                        Align page                                                                     Look page                                                                      Advanced page                                                                  Form definition field                                                          Save RIPed file field                                                          RIP Options in Print Submit                                                    General Options in Print Submit                                                Use RIP button in Print Submit                                                 Stacker in Print Submit                                                        Separator Sheets in Print Submit                                  Paper                                                                              Disabled at item                                                                        If a tray is specified, set default-input-tray and use                         appropriate paper size                                                level when:                                                                             for Align page.                                                       Use Form Otherwise, set default-medium and use default untrimmed page                   size from                                                             Definition is                                                                           the media object for Align page.                                      checked on                                                                     Layout page.                                                                   IP 4000 or Any                                                                 B& W                                                                       Start                                                                              Always                                                                     on                                                                             front                                                                          facing                                                                         page                                                                           Save                                                                               Disabled for IC 70                                                                      If checked, set transform-output-file-name to the jobname in                   the directory                                                     RIPed        specified in the job ticket. The directory is determined by                    the shared                                                        file         directory specified in the Setup dialog.                          __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 6                                      __________________________________________________________________________     DESCRIPTION OF ATTRIBUTES IN THE                                               ALIGN ATTRIBUTES PAGE AND BEHAVIOR OF ALIGN ATTRIBUTES                         __________________________________________________________________________     DESCRIPTION OF THE ALIGN ATTRIBUTES                                            pd attribute                                                                            Label  Control    Values    Default                                   __________________________________________________________________________              Page Content                                                                          Groupbox with Rotation                                                         drop down and Trim and                                                         Scale radio buttons                                            content-orientation                                                                     Rotation                                                                              drop down list                                                                            None, 90° clockwise,                                                              None                                                                 180°, 90°                                                        counterclockwise,                                                              Use server default                                  image-fit                                                                               Trim to                                                                               radio button         on                                                 unfinished page                                                                size                                                                           Scale to                                                                              radio button         off                                                unfinished page                                                                size                                                                           Unfinished                                                                            Groupbox with Length                                                    page size                                                                             and Width                                                               Length spinbox    numbers   If Paper is a media-                                                           supported, get this                                                            information from                                                               the media object.                                                              If the object                                                                  information is                                                                 blank, use the                                                                 default set in                                                                 Preferences.                                                                   If this is a tray, use                                                         the default set in                                                             Preferences for the                                                            selected tray.                                     Width                                                                          Finished page                                                                         Groupbox with Length,                                                   size   Width                                                          image-length                                                                            Length entry field with spin box                                                                 page size default to untrimmed                                                           page size                                 image-width                                                                             Width                                                                 x-image-shift                                                                           Page placement                                                                        drop down list                                                                            Upper left, Upper                                                                        Upper left                                x-image-shift-back         right, Upper middle,                                y-image-shift              Center left, Center                                 y-image-shift-back         middle, Center right,                                                          Lower left, Lower                                                              middle, Lower right,                                                           Other                                                        Show   pushbutton                                                              placement                                                             __________________________________________________________________________     BEHAVIOR OF THE ALIGN ATTRIBUTES                                               Label       Available                                                                            Behavior                                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Rotation    Always*                                                                              Shows image rotated in Placement dialog.                     Trim to unfinished page                                                                    Always*                                                                              sets image-fit to id-val-image-fit-position-and-trim         size                                                                           Scale to unfinished                                                                        Always*                                                                              sets image-fit to id-val-image-fit-scale-to-fit              page size                                                                      Unfinished page size                                                                       Always*                                                                              Use this value to determine the offsets and in the                             Placement                                                                      dialog. Use the units that are specified in                                    Preferences.                                                 Finished page size                                                                         Always*                                                                              Use this value to determine the offsets and in the                             Placement                                                                      dialog. Use the units that are specified in                                    Preferences.                                                 Page placement                                                                             Always*                                                                              Use this value to set the offsets displayed in the                             Placement dialog.                                                              This value is updated based on the Placement dialog.                           Note: Other is used when additional shifting has been                          performed.                                                   Show placement                                                                             Always*                                                                              Opens the Placement dialog.                                  __________________________________________________________________________      *Note:                                                                         This tab is disabled when Printer type is IC 70 or when Use Form               Definition is checked.                                                   

                                      TABLE 7                                      __________________________________________________________________________     DESCRIPTION OF ATTRIBUTES IN LOOK ATTRIBUTES PAGE AND BEHAVIOR OF              ATTRIBUTES                                                                     __________________________________________________________________________     DESCRIPTION OF THE LOOK ATTRIBUTES                                             pd attribute                                                                            Label   Control Values     Default                                    __________________________________________________________________________     output-  Output  drop down fist                                                                         Use server default                                                                        Use server default                         appearance                                                                              appearance      Standard                                                                       Highlight midtones                                                             Dark                                                                           Custom . . .                                          base-printer                                                                            Calibrate for                                                                          drop down list                                                                         Use server default,                                                                       set to value of Printer                                             InfoPrint 4000, InfoPrint                                                                 type. If Printer type is                                            60         Black and white, set to                                                        server default and                                                             disable.                                   screen-frequency                                                                        Screen frequency                                                                       drop down list                                                                         Use server default,                                                                       Use server default                                                  71,85,106                                             scanner- Scanner editable drop                                                                          Use server default,                                                                       TIFF - Server                              correction                                                                              correction                                                                             down list                                                                              Xerox DocuImage 620S,                                                                     default                                                             None       Hardcopy Item -                                                                Server default                                                                 Otherwise - None                           __________________________________________________________________________     BEHAVIOR OF THE LOOK ATTRIBUTES                                                Label    Available   Behavior                                                  __________________________________________________________________________     Output appearance                                                                       Always*     When custom is selected, pop-up a prompt for the                               name of                                                                        the custom output appearance file. When this window                            closes, put the value in this field.                      Calibrate for                                                                           Disabled for Any B& W                                                          (and set to server default)*                                          Screen frequency                                                                        Always*                                                               Scanner correction                                                                      Always*                                                               __________________________________________________________________________      *NOTE:                                                                         This page is not shown for the IC 70.                                    

                                      TABLE 8                                      __________________________________________________________________________     FILES PAGE                                                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Description:                                                                   pd attribute                                                                           Label  Control Values     Default                                      __________________________________________________________________________     printer-name-                                                                          Printer                                                                               drop down list                                                                         displays all logical                                                                      first in the list                            requested              printer values that can                                                        submit jobs to the                                                             printer specified by                                                           Printer Type                                            job-client-id                                                                          Print job ID                                                                          read-only field                                                                        job ID plus submit                                                                        same as value                                                       count(.00x). If the job                                                        ID is blank, use                                                               jobname.                                                results-profile                                                                        Copies to print                                                                       spin box                                                                               1 . . . 99999                                                                             number of copies                             job-copies     increments by 10   specified in job                                                               ticket                                       optimize-for-                                                                          Proof  checkbox           unchecked                                    multiple-copies                                                                job-page-count                                                                         Pages to print                                                                        spinbox 1-999999   total number of                                                                pages for checked                                                              items.                                       auxiliary-sheet-                                                                       Separator                                                                             Group box with     Slipsheet checked                            selection                                                                              sheet  checkboxes for                                                                 Start, Slipsheet                                                               and End                                                         output-bin                                                                             Stacker                                                                               drop down list                                                                         Base, Side Side                                                 Files to print                                                                        list box with 2                                                                        Item column                                                                               files in currently                                          columns labeled                                                                        All items from the                                                                        selected item are                                           Item, and File to                                                                      current document are                                                                      checked.                                                    Print. Each item                                                                       listed.                                                                in the item                                                                            The selected item is                                                   column has a                                                                           checked.                                                               checkbox.                                                                              File to Print column                                                           include the file created                                                       date (for both RIP and                                                         Files: fully qualified                                                         filename or filename.rip                                                       when file has already                                                          been RIPed.                                                                    Hardcopy: x TIF files                                                          or x RIPed files                                                               Library: fully qualified                                                       filename or filename.rip                                                       when file has already                                                          been RIPed.                                                                    Variable data: name of                                                         document definition file                                                       or docdef.rip.                                                  Check all                                                                             pushbutton                                                              Uncheck all                                                                           pushbutton                                                              ReRIP all                                                                             pushbutton                                                              ReRIP selected                                                                        pushbutton                                                                     includes checked                                                __________________________________________________________________________     Behavior                                                                       Label  Available                                                                               Behavior                                                       __________________________________________________________________________     Printer                                                                               Always   Displays all logical printers that submit jobs to                              printers of the                                                                specified type. When the printer type is All Black and                         White                                                                          printers, list all logical printers that send jobs to the                      IP 60 or                                                                       the IP 4000.                                                   Print job ID                                                                          read-only                                                                               The submit count starts at .001 for a new or new like job                      and                                                                            is incremented for every submission of any part of this                        job                                                                            ticket. If no job ID is specified, use the jobname.            Copies to print                                                                       Always   From the general attributes on the job ticket. Note: this                      value                                                                          prints on the header sheet. Save value for next                                invocation of                                                                  dialog.                                                        Proof  Always   Set Copies to print to 1 (but allow to be changed). For                        IP                                                                             4000, set optimize-for-multiple-copies to false. When                          this                                                                           field is unchecked, reset the value to the value from                          the                                                                            general attributes on the job ticket (and for IP 4000,                         set                                                                            optimize-for-multiple-copies to true). Value not saved                         for                                                                            next invocation of dialog.                                     Pages to Print                                                                        Always   Update whenever an item is checked or unchecked until                          Pages to Print is manually changed.                            Separator                                                                             Disable for IC 70                                                                       Values are start, sep, end. When multiple boxes are                            checked,                                                       Sheets          append the appropriate value. For example when Start and                       Slipsheet are checked the value is start-sep. When                             Slipsheet                                                                      and End are checked, the value is sep-end.                     Stacker                                                                               Disable for IC 70                                                              Disable for IP 60                                                       Item column                                                                           Always   List all items in current document. Check the currently                        selected item. If the document is currently selected,                          check all                                                                      items.                                                         Files to print                                                                        Always   If the .rip file exists for an item and it is newer than                       the item's                                                     column          file, use the .rip file as the file to print. If the .rip                      file is older                                                                  than the item's file, use the item's file as the file to                       print. If                                                                      printing .pdf files will be supported and the Print PDF                        file                                                                           option is checked in the Preferences dialog, use the .pdf                      file                                                                           when the .rip file does not exist or is older than the                         .pdf or                                                                        item file and the .pdf is newer than the item's file.                          This                                                                           column should also include information about the creation                      or                                                                             modification date of the file to print. Note: When the                         printer                                                                        type is IC 70, this column always shows the item's file.       Check all                                                                             Always   Checks all the items                                           Uncheck all                                                                           Always   Unchecks all the items                                         ReRIP all                                                                             Disabled for IC 70                                                                      Changes the file to print for all items to be the item's                       file.                                                          ReRIP selected                                                                        Disabled for IC 70                                                                      Where the RIP file exists, changes the file to print for                       the                                                                            selected items to be the item's file.                          __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 9                                      __________________________________________________________________________     SCHEDULE PAGE                                                                  __________________________________________________________________________     Description                                                                    pd attribute                                                                            Label    Control Values Default                                       __________________________________________________________________________     job-rip-action                                                                          RIP Options                                                                             Group box with Use server default                            job-hold Use server                                                                              radio buttons                                                         default                                                                        Hold                                                                           RIP only                                                                       RIP then hold                                                                  Print                                                                 job-priority                                                                            General  Group box                                                    job-complexity                                                                          Priority entry field with                                                                       1-10   5                                                               spin box                                                              Complexity                                                                              entry field with                                                                       1-10   1                                                               spin box                                                     job-retention-                                                                          Save job at server                                                                      Group box      Do not save at server                         period                                                                         job-retain-until                                                                        Do not save at                                                                          Radio button                                                          server                                                                         Save for Radio button with                                                                             1 Day                                                           entry field and                                                                drop down list                                                        Save until                                                                              Radio button with                                                              month drop down                                                                        January-                                                                              current month                                                   list    December                                                               day drop down                                                                          # days in the                                                                         current day                                                     list    month                                                                  year drop down                                                                         any future year                                                                       current year                                                    combo                                                                 Time     hours drop down                                                                        0:00-23:00                                                                            23:00                                                           list    (whole hours                                                                   only)                                                job-deadline-time                                                                       Print by Group box check                                                                               unchecked                                                       box                                                                            month drop down                                                                        January-                                                                              current month                                                   list    December                                                               day drop down                                                                          # days in the                                                                         current day                                                     list    month                                                                  year drop down                                                                         any future year                                                                       current year                                                    combo                                                                 Time     hours drop down                                                                        0:00-23:00                                                                            23:00                                                           list    (whole hours                                                                   only)                                                __________________________________________________________________________     Behavior                                                                       Label Available   Behavior                                                     __________________________________________________________________________     RIP Options                                                                          Disabled for IC 70                                                                         Use server defaults - do not send job-rip-action or                            job-                                                                           hold                                                                           Hold - set job-hold = true and job-rip-action =                                rip-and-print                                                                  Otherwise - set job-rip-action to setting indicated by                         radio button and set job-hold = false                        General                                                                              Disable for IC 70                                                                          set job-priority to value * 10                                                 set job-complexity to value in spin box                      Save job at                                                                          Always                                                                   server                                                                         Do not save                                                                          Always      Do not send job-retention-period or job-retain-until.        at server         Disable For and Until date/time fields.                      Save for                                                                             Date/time fields disabled                                                                  Enable date/time fields. Send value for job-retention-             when For is not selected                                                                   period. If days is set, multiply value by 24 before                            sending.                                                     Save until                                                                           Date/time fields disabled                                                                  Enable date/time fields. Send value for                                        job-retain-until.                                                  when Until is not selected                                               Print by                                                                             Always      Enable date/time fields when checked. Disable                                  date/time                                                                      fields when not checked. Send job-deadline-time to                             values specified din date/time fields.                       __________________________________________________________________________ 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of organizing files associated with a job ticket in a computer system linked to a storage device, comprising the steps of:(a) creating a job ticket, wherein the job ticket includes information on a document included in a print job, information on a plurality of files that are associated with the document, and location information indicating the location of the files, (b) determining a directory location in the storage device; (c) accessing the files using the location information; (d) copying the files to the directory location in the storage device; and (e) copying the job ticket to the directory location in the storage device.
 2. The method of claim 1, further including the step of modifying the location information to indicate that the files copied to the directory location are in a location relative to the location of the job ticket.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining the directory location in the storage device further comprises the steps of:determining whether the directory location already exists in the storage device; and creating the directory location in the storage device upon determining that the directory location does not exist in the storage device.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the computer system is comprised of a first computer and a second computer, wherein the storage device is comprised of a first storage device attached to the first computer and a second storage device attached to the second computer, wherein the first and second computers are linked through a network, wherein a file associated with the document is stored in the second storage device, wherein the directory location is in the first storage device, and wherein the steps of accessing and copying the files further includes the steps of:accessing the file stored in the second storage device using the location information; transmitting a copy of the file in the second storage device through the network to the first computer; and storing the file transmitted through the network in the directory location in the first storage device.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of accessing a file further comprises the steps of:determining whether an accessed file has a same name as a file in the directory location; changing the name of the accessed file to a different name upon determining that the accessed file has the same name as a file in the directory location; and copying the file with the different name to the directory location in the storage device.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein a monitor and input device are attached to the computer system, and wherein the step of determining the directory location further comprises the step of displaying a field on the monitor in which the directory location is entered using the input device.
 7. A computer programming apparatus, comprising:(a) a computer system linked to a storage device; (b) means, performed by the computer system, for creating a job ticket, wherein the job ticket includes information on a document included in a print job, information on a plurality of files that are associated with the document, and location information indicating the location of the files, (c) means, performed by the computer system, for determining a directory location in the storage device; (c) means, performed by the computer system, for accessing the files using the location information; (d) means, performed by the computer system, for copying the files to the directory location in the storage device; and (e) means, performed by the computer system, for copying the job ticket to the directory location in the storage device.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, further including a means, performed by the computer system, for modifying the location information to indicate that the files copied to the directory location are in a location relative to the location of the job ticket.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the means for determining the directory location in the storage device further includes:means, performed by the computer system, for determining whether the directory location already exists in the storage device; and means, performed by the computer system, for creating the directory location in the storage device upon determining that the directory location does not exist in the storage device.
 10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the computer system is comprised of: a first computer and a second computer; wherein the storage device is comprised of a first storage device attached to the first computer and a second storage device attached to the second computer; wherein the directory location is in the first storage device; wherein a file associated with the document is stored in the second storage device, further comprising:a network linking the first computer and the second computer, wherein the means for accessing and copying the files further includes:(1) means, performed by the first computer, for accessing the file stored in the second storage device using the location information; (2) means, performed by the second computer, for transmitting a copy of the file in the second storage device through the network to the first computer; and (3) means, performed by the first computer, for storing the file transmitted through the network in the directory location in the first storage device.
 11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the means for accessing a file further includes:means, performed by the computer system, for determining whether an accessed file has a same name as a file in the directory location; means, performed by the computer system, for changing the name of the accessed file to a different name upon determining that the accessed file has the same name as a file in the directory location; and means, performed by the computer system, for copying the file with the different name to the directory location in the storage device.
 12. The apparatus of claim 7, further including:a monitor attached to the computer system; an input device attached to the computer system; and wherein the means for determining the directory location further comprises means, performed by the computer system, for displaying a field on the monitor in which the directory location is entered using the input device.
 13. An article of manufacture for use in programming a computer, the article of manufacture comprising a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program embodied therein that causes the computer to perform the steps of:(a) creating a job ticket, wherein the job ticket includes information on a document included in a print job, information on a plurality of files that are associated with the document, and location information indicating the location of the files, (b) determining a directory location in the storage device; (c) accessing the files using the location information; (d) copying the files to the directory location in the storage device; and (e) copying the job ticket to the directory location in the storage device.
 14. The article of manufacture of claim 13, further including the step of modifying the location information to indicate that the files copied to the directory location are in a location relative to the location of the job ticket.
 15. The article of manufacture of claim 13, wherein the step of determining the directory location in the storage device further comprises the steps of:determining whether the directory location already exists in the storage device; and creating the directory location in the storage device upon determining that the directory location does not exist in the storage device.
 16. The article of manufacture of claim 13, wherein the computer system is comprised of a first computer and a second computer, wherein the storage device is comprised of a first storage device attached to the first computer and a second storage device attached to the second computer, wherein the first and second computers are linked through a network, wherein a file associated with the document is stored in the second storage device, wherein the directory location is in the first storage device, and wherein the steps of accessing and copying the files further includes the steps of:accessing the file stored in the second storage device using the location information; transmitting a copy of the file in the second storage device through the network to the first computer; and storing the file transmitted through the network in the directory location in the first storage device.
 17. The article of manufacture of claim 13, wherein the step of accessing a file further comprises the steps of:determining whether an accessed file has a same name as a file in the directory location; changing the name of the accessed file to a different name upon determining that the accessed file has the same name as a file in the directory location; and copying the file with the different name to the directory location in the storage device.
 18. The article of manufacture of claim 13, wherein a monitor and input device are attached to the computer system, and wherein the step of determining the directory location further comprises the step of displaying a field on the monitor in which the directory location is entered using the input device.
 19. A method, for use by a plurality of print shop operators, in fulfilling a customer order, the method comprising:creating, by a first operator, a job ticket data structure stored on a computer usable medium within a computer system linked to a storage device, wherein the job ticket includes information identifying at least one document included in the customer order for printing, and includes information on a plurality of files associated with at least one document including location information indicating the location of the files; designating, by one of the operators, a directory location in the storage device; accessing, by the computer system, in response to the designation, the files using the location information; copying, by the computer system, the files and the job ticket to the designated directory location; and using, by a second operator, the designated directory location to find the job ticket and all necessary files for printing to fulfill the customer order.
 20. A system, for use by a print shop, in fulfilling a customer order, the system comprising:a job ticket data structure stored on a computer usable medium within a computer system linked to a storage device, wherein the job ticket includes information identifying at least one document included in the customer order for printing, and includes information on a plurality of files associated with at least one document including location information indicating the location of the files; means for receiving a designation of a directory location in the storage device; means for accessing, by the computer system, in response to the designation, the files using the location information; means for copying, by the computer system, the files and the job ticket to the designated directory location; and means for accessing, by a print server connected to the computer system, the designated directory location to find the job ticket and all necessary files for printing to fulfill the customer order. 